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Pass · Olympic National Park

Appleton Pass

13.7 mi round trip3,611 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: Reservation
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Permits and reservations

Day hikeNo permit
Day hikes need no permit, only the park entrance pass.
OvernightReservation
Every overnight stay needs a wilderness permit from Recreation.gov. Bear canisters are required at all wilderness camps (free loaners at Wilderness Information Centers).

Permit calendar

Summer permits releaseApril 15, 7 AM PT
Summer quota seasonMay 15 to October 15

Olympic National Park wilderness rules from the National Park Service. Quota areas include Seven Lakes Basin, Grand Valley, Royal Lake, the Ozette coast, and Enchanted Valley. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.

About the trail

Distance13.7 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain3,611 ftTotal climb, round trip
Pass elevation5,052 ftFrom elevation data

Overview

Appleton Pass is a pass reached by a 13.7-mile round trip from Sol Duc Trailhead. The route follows Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail, then Sol Duc River Trail, then Appleton Pass Trail to the pass.

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What you need

Parking and passes

National park entrance fee: $30 per vehicle for 7 days, the $55 Olympic annual pass, or an America the Beautiful pass. The park does not take cash.

Buy an entrance pass

Getting there

The hike starts at Sol Duc Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.

Conditions

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Full forecast at weather.gov